Season Preview: Men's Basketball hopes to challenge for league title in 2015-16
By Tim Glon
ADA — The Ohio Northern men's basketball team has a unique mix of youth and experience returning in its 2015-16 squad.
The Polar Bears welcome back three starters and 16 lettermen from last year's team that went 12-14 overall and finished sixth in the Ohio Athletic Conference with a 7-11 record.
Despite its wealth of experience in the large number of lettermen, there are no seniors on the squad, giving the team a youthful look.
"Our goals for this season are high," Byrne said. "We believe we have a team that has the talent and experience to compete with the best teams in the OAC. We have good depth with many returners and some key newcomers that we think can be difference-makers during their careers."
Here is a breakdown of the 2015-16 ONU men's basketball team, by position:
Back Court
Byrne has a wealth of talent and experience at the guard positions with eight lettermen returning.
Junior guards Devon Allen (6.8 ppg, 31 3FGs) and Joey Hurless (6.2 ppg, 96 assists) both return after combining for 25 starts a year ago.
Allen plays more of a shooter's role, while Hurless is the heir apparent to take over the starting point guard position.
Junior Konnor Baker led the team in scoring last season at 11.2 ppg and was third in rebounding at 3.8 rpg.
A versatile player, Baker can play guard or forward in Byrne's offense.
Juniors Connor Rockhold (2.2 ppg) and Logan Rockhold and sophomores Ryan Geise (2.1 ppg) and Nate Burger (1.8 ppg) also return on the perimeter.
Sophomores Joey DiOrio (3.4 ppg) and Grant Pepper (.5 ppg) can also play inside or outside.
A wealth of talented incoming freshmen will also battle for playing time in the back court.
"We have experienced guards returning," Byrne said. "Joey Hurless, Devon Allen and Konnor Baker all played a great deal and are providing good leadership as juniors. We are also happy with the progress of many of our freshmen from last season. We believe that several of those guys will take the next step this year."
Front Court
Junior Alex Radkiewicz is the returning starter at forward.
Radkiewicz led the team in rebounding at 4.6 rpg and averaged 4.5 ppg in scoring.
Junior Aron Thress and sophomore Travis Feitshans also return after logging large minutes on the front line last year.
Thress, a 6-7, 230-pound center, tied for team-high honors with 14 blocked shots while averaging 3.0 ppg and 1.6 rpg in nine minutes of playing time per game.
The trio will battle sophomores Alex Sibila, Tyson Bolenbaugh and Jack Ellerhorst and a strong incoming freshmen class for playing time up front.
"I think our front court is as deep and talented as we've had at ONU in quite a while," Byrne said. "Thress and Radkiewicz are our two juniors and Feitshans is also a terrific player. Our other sophomores have improved during the off season and a few freshmen could have an immediate impact on our front line."
Overview
Despite having no seniors on the roster, Byrne is excited about the depth and experience of his group.
The squad rotated 10-12 players into each game with all but two of those players returning.
"We were in most of our games last year," Byrne said. "But we think this group can take the next step and consistently play with the top of the league this season. We feel that we can be in the mix for the league title at the end of the year.
"We are excited about the talent level and depth at every position. There will be battles for playing time at every position and we think that will make us better and keep our players hungry and working hard to continue to get better throughout the year."
Ohio Northern won the 1993 NCAA Division III National Championship, reached the 2000 NCAA Division III Final Four and won OAC Championships in 2001, 2000, 1999, 1995, 1993, 1988, 1982, 1976.
The Polar Bears will open their 2015-16 season Nov. 14 against Alma (Mich.) in a rare double-header with the football team.